"My laptop somehow went missing. As luck would have it, it ended up being the perfect bait to draw the snakes out of their holes, causing those spies and the people from Norvane who were trying to steal Elyndor's secrets to walk right into a trap."
As she spoke, she waved the certificate and medal in her hand, a faint smile on her face. “I never expected to be so lucky. Maybe it's because... I've come back home, and you all bring me good fortune."
The words struck Isabella like a bolt of lightning, making her head spin and her vision go dark.
What was Serena saying? This highest national honor was all because of that laptop? The laptop she had given to lan?!
That meant... the person who should be receiving this commendation was her! This certificate, this medal-this honor should have been hers! She should have been the one sitting there, basking in the family's praise, enjoying everyone's adoring gaze!
The glory that should have been hers had been stolen by Serena!
Isabella trembled with rage, the feelings of injustice and resentment nearly boiling
over.
But her family, hearing Serena's words, all chimed in with praise.
"Luck is a form of skill. This honor is rightfully yours."
"You're too modest, Serena. I'm sure you earned this national commendation with more than just a laptop."
Every word of praise, every term of endearment, felt like a physical blade stabbing her in the heart. She was so angry she could have burst!
The person they should be praising was her! She was the one who had actually delivered the laptop and helped the country crack the spy case!
But could she say that? Could she jump up and announce that she was the one who took Serena's laptop?
No!
Not only could she say nothing, but she had to pretend she knew nothing and force
a smile while congratulating Serena along with the rest of the family.
It made Isabella feel like a complete joke.
She had gone to all this trouble to expose Serena's true colors and show the family she was a fraud, only to end up helping serena receive the highest honor in the country. And she could only watch from the shadows as Serena enjoyed the glory that should have been hers.
She had shot herself in the foot and now had to swallow the bitter pill.
It was infuriating!
She couldn't even bear to imagine the envious looks Serena would
receive when she appeared in
Vaelion City's high society circlemet
with this honor as a Lancaster heiress. How Serena would
completely overshadow her!
"Speaking of which... this is a serious matter involving national security," Old Mr. Lancaster said, his
"Since the news report intentionet
expression turning grave again.
concealed Serena's identity, w shouldn't spread this around. We can be happy about it among ourselves, but to the outside world... we shouldn't say a word."
Edward nodded. "Dad's right. We don't want to cause any trouble for Serena, and we definitely don't want those rats in the gutter... to come after her for revenge."
After all, the people from Norvane were a bunch of treacherous villains. If they found out that Serena was the one who foiled their plan to steal Elyndor's secrets, they would surely not let her go.
Serena was incredibly capable and now had ties to the government, but they couldn't protect her every second of every day. At a time like this, keeping a low profile was the best form of protection.